Peter Nygard, a former Canadian fashion executive, is accused of sex trafficking dozens of adult women and minors over more than two decades, allegedly using them not just for his own sexual gratification, but also for his friends and business associates.

Nygard, 79, was recently charged in New York with sex trafficking, racketeering and other crimes in what authorities described as a “decades-long pattern of criminal conduct” spanning several countries, leading to a nine-count indictment.

Nygard allegedly used his position as leader of his fashion company to recruit adult and minor females, using “force, fraud, and coercion” to influence them into compliance, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York. He is accused of forcibly sexually assaulting some victims himself, while other women and minors were sexually assaulted by his associates, prosecutors said. Some of the women and girls were also drugged to ensure their compliance, according to authorities.

Nygard was arrested in December in Canada as part of an extradition treaty with the U.S. His lawyer, Jay Prober, has since denied the charges against his client, The New York Times reports.

Nygard has been in jail since his arrest. His bail application was denied and an appeal was dismissed. His extradition hearing is set for November, per CBC.

Authorities allege the former fashion mogul often targeted women and minor girls from disadvantaged economic backgrounds or those with a history of abuse, controlling them through threats, promises of modeling opportunities or career advancement, offers of financial assistance or “other coercive means” like physical isolation, restrictions of movement or constant surveillance.

Nygard maintained relationships with some of the women, referring to them as “girlfriends” or “assistants,” according to the indictment against him. Those women were often required to travel with him and engage in sexual acts.

Many other tools were also used to recruit women and girls, such as so-called “Pamper Parties,” swingers clubs or sex “swaps” with friends and associates, prosecutors allege.

According to prosecutors, Nygard hosted such parties at his properties in both Marina del Ray, California, and in the Bahamas, offering free food, drinks and spa services at the events. There, he would have his “girlfriends” or employees approach other women and girls to “indicate his interest in sex,” the indictment alleges. He would pay the person for sex in cash, but certain unwilling participants, some of whom were minors, were also drugged or physically or psychologically forced to comply with the sexual demands, according to the accusations against him from over one hundred of women who have come forward.

Nygard allegedly also used Nygard Group funds to pay the women and girls, at times putting them on his company’s payroll as “models” or employees.

Nygard International’s New York offices were raided by the FBI and NYPD as part of the investigation against him, NPR reports. The company filed for bankruptcy last March and since then, many of the company’s brands reportedly went up for sale.

A spokesperson for Nygard, Ken Frydman, told ABC News at the time of the raid that the one-time fashion exec “expects his name to be cleared.”

In addition to the recent charges, Nygard is also at the center of a federal lawsuit filed in New York on behalf of women who said they were sexually assaulted, their allegations resembling the crimes cited in the indictment against him, the New York Times reports. The lawsuit has been associated with a feud between Nygard and his hedge fund billionaire neighbor in the Bahamas, Louis Bacon.

What can you do if you believe were a victim?

Anyone in the United States or Canada who was a victim of sex trafficking or sex abuse by Peter Nygard may qualify to take legal action.

Learn your rights by filling out the form on this page for a free claim review.

This article is not legal advice. It is presented
for informational purposes only.